HYB: First Crosses

On another note, I am considering doing my first crosses next year. However, I'm a little bit overwhelmed with where I should start.
I understand the morphology of the flower well, so I know exactly where it to the pollen and such. That doesn't scare me.
I understand genetics pretty well. I'd better: I work in the genetics department of a major medical school. That doesn't scare me.
It's just the number of choices I have in deciding to cross what to what. That's what scares me. I need to be somewhat judicious in my decisions as I do not have huge amounts of space. I'd like some feedback as to what are the best things to consider when making these decisions.
I've already decided that I am going to concentrate on fragrance. I've always loved the smell of fragrant irises. I will also pay attention to the overall vigor and blooming consistency of the parents. I realize this is very climate-specific, but I can only feel confident about things that grow well for me.
Finally, does anyone know a good reference regarding iris genetics? There's been talk on this about the plicata gene and its alleles. Are there other iris genes that are well-characterized (or at least somewhat characterized)? 

-Matt Booker
Melrose, Massachusetts
Zone 6

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